ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
Paddy Procurement shows increase of 19.92 % over last year
About 21.09 Lakh Paddy Farmers have benefitted from KMS Procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 47010.10 Crore.
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes..
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,Telangana,Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala,Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 248.99 LMTs of paddy upto 07.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 207.63 LMT showing an increase of 19.92 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 248.99 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 175.24 LMT which is 70.37 % of total procurement.
About 21.09 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 47010.10 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 07.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 31988.25 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 171.60 Crores benefitting 18949 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of 17586.31 MT which is an increase of 81.89% for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 07.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh,Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Till 07.11.2020 a quantity of 1022074 cotton bales valuing Rs.2952.51 Crore has been procured benefitting 198060 farmers.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Oil & gas CPSEs and their Joint Ventures/subsidiaries are implementing over 7500 economic activities/projects as of March 2022
Projects provide employment opportunities in direct as well as indirect forms, during construction and operational phase
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that the Oil & gas CPSEs and their Joint Ventures/subsidiaries are implementing over 7500 economic activities/projects as of March 2022. These include projects and activities in upstream oil and gas exploration and production, drilling/survey activities, oil refining, Bio Refineries, gas pipelines infrastructure for connecting national gas grid, city gas distribution networks in the newly authorized geographical areas and LNG terminals, Marketing infrastructure projects, compressed bio-gas plants, capacity addition of refineries, fertilizer plants and petro-chemical units.
These projects, in general, make available employment opportunities in direct as well as indirect forms, during the construction and operational phase. Oil & Gas sector, with its backward and forward linkages, is a key driver of economic growth and, therefore, these projects involving substantial investments will provide boost to the national economy as well as provide employment opportunities to the people of our country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 112.97 Cr
More than 59.75 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently at 98.27%
8,865 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload is lowest in 525 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 2% for last 53 days
With the administration of 59,75,469 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 112.97 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 1,16,00,209 sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,80,660
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
93,42,630
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,74,266
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,61,98,084
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
43,40,97,627
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17,34,44,599
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
17,86,66,772
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10,58,01,615
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
11,19,42,501
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,15,35,291
|
|
Total
|
|
1,12,97,84,045
The recovery of 11,971 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,38,61,756.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.27%.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 142 consecutive days now.
8,865 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently at 1,30,793 is lowest in 525 days. Active cases presently constitute 0.38% of the country's total Positive Cases, which is lowest since March 2020.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of
11,07,617tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 62.57 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 0.97% remains less than 2% for the last 53 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be 0.80%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below2% for last 43 days and below 3% for 78 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Finance
Customs field formations and DRI keep constant vigil to deter smuggling of gold and drugs
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  celebrated its 65th Founding Day on 5th December 2022 in an Inaugural Function held in New Delhi. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The Minister stated that the inaugural function was followed by the 8th Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting  which is a meeting of Heads of Enforcement of Customs of the region as well as representatives from international agencies like World Customs Organization  and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime .
Giving more information, the Minister stated that the year-wise data of seizure of gold made by Customs field formations and DRI during the last three calendar years and current year i.e. 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023  is enclosed as ANNEXURE-A. The details of persons arrested for gold smuggling is given in ANNEXURE-A.
The Minister further stated that the year-wise data of seizure of drugs by all Drug Law Enforcement Agencies for 2020, 2021 and 2022  is enclosed as ANNEXURE-B. The details of drug traffickers arrested is given in ANNEXURE-B.
To deter smuggling of gold and drugs, the Minister stated, Customs field formations and DRI keep constant vigil and take operational measures such as passenger profiling, risk based interdiction and targeting of cargo consignments, non-intrusive inspection, rummaging of aircrafts and coordination with other agencies. Modus Operandi Circulars related to new modus / method used by the smugglers are issued from time to time, the Minister stated.
The Minister further stated on counter measures that the Government makes policy interventions and takes operational measures to check smuggling. Strict vigil is being kept at possible areas of smuggling. Modus Operandi Circulars related to new modus / method used by the smugglers are being issued to all the Customs field formations.
Further, the Minister stated, to counter the menace of NDPS smuggling, various Central law enforcement agencies and state police departments monitor and control drug smuggling in India. A Narco Co-ordination Centre  has been set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs for effective co-ordination among various law enforcement agencies. A dedicated Anti Narcotics Task Force has been established in each of the states/ union territories to control menace of drug trafficking. The Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group  set up under the aegis of National Security Council Secretariat, also monitors smuggling of drugs.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Piyush Goyal visits Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Los Angeles
Shree Swaminarayan temple doing great service to society all over the world: Shri Piyush Goyal
Ideals of humanity, spirituality and service to society taught by Swaminarayan Bhagwan and propagated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj will continue to guide and inspire us : Shri Goyal
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today said that BAPS Swaminarayan temple was doing great service to the society all over the world. He was addressing Indian Community after a visit to the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Los Angeles.
Expressing his admiration at the beauty of the Shree Swaminarayan temple complex in Los Angeles and conveying his congratulations on the completion of 10 years of its existence, the Minister said that the presence of the temple was very befitting to the significant presence of Indians in the area and the contribution of Indians to the development and growth of the area of Los Angeles.
Paying his tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his centennial birth anniversary, he said that this was a very special occasion for all of us around the world who have received his blessings and learnt goodness from him. Reminiscing that he has had the privilege of having a special bonding with Pramukh Swami Maharaj Ji’s various programs over the years, Shri Goyal said that he also got a chance to actively participate in the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Mumbai many years ago.
Shri Goyal said that he has always had the good fortune of visiting Shree Swaminarayan temples across the world and added that the temple in Los Angeles was very unique and beautifully planned and executed. The feeling of spirituality one experiences when visiting this temple in itself is very unique, he said.
The Minister observed that the contribution of BAPS in keeping Hindus together and keeping the spirit of Hinduism glowing and flowing all around the world is invaluable. He opined that when people moved out of India and experience the material facets of life, the, the next generation was observed to lose the connect to the motherland. But wherever Swaminarayan temple has come up, spirituality flourishes there and the next generation retains its connect with the motherland. They inculcate very good habits and practices. Therefore, this institution is doing great service to the society at large all over the world, he said.
Underscoring that Swaminarayan Bhagwan has always believed in humanity and spirituality and in service to society, Shri Goyal said that his teachings focussed on our role in giving back to the humanity at large. The wonderful teachings of gyan, bhakti and shraddha that Swaminarayan has taught us and Pramukh Swami Maharaj has propagated will remain with all of us. His teachings will continue to inspire and guide me all through my life, Shri Goyal said.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri speaks to his Japanese Counterpart over telephone
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with the Minister of Defence of Japan, Mr Kishi Nobuo today. He congratulated Minister Kishi on his appointment as Minister of Defence and expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries in spite of the limitations imposed by COVID 19.
The two Ministers exchanged views on security situation in the region and the need for a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law. Both Ministers welcomed the successful conduct of JIMEX 2020, MALABAR 2020 and also the recent successful visit of Chief of Staff, JASDF to India.
They expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services in further promoting defence ties between the two countries. During the telephonic conversation, the Ministers reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and expressed commitment to further elevate engagements between the Armed Forces under the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The Ministers agreed that in the recent past both countries have made notable strides in Defence Industry and Technology cooperation and look forward to even greater cooperation in this field.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib
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Ministry of Communications
TRAI releases Consultation Paper on 'Introduction of Calling Name Presentation in Telecommunication Networks'
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  has today released a Consultation Paper on 'Introduction of Calling Name Presentation  in Telecommunication Networks'.
Department of Telecommunications  through a reference dated 21.03.2022 requested the Authority to provide its recommendations under Section 11 of TRAI Act, 1997  on introducing the Calling Name Presentation  facility in the Indian Telecommunication Network.
In this regard, a Consultation Paper on 'Introduction of Calling Name Presentation  in Telecommunication Networks', seeking inputs from the stakeholders have been placed on TRAI’s website . Written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper are invited from the stakeholders by 27th December 2022 and counter-comments by 10th January 2023.
The comments/ counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form at advmn@trai.gov.in. For any clarification/ information Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor , TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-23210481.
Ministry of Communications
MoS Shri Sanjay Dhotre releases Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of First Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha
Shri Sanjay Dhotre,Minister of State for Education, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology digitally released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of First Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha. Public Function in this regard was organised at Swaraj Ashram, Cuttack, Odisha. Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member of Parliament, Cuttack, Odisha, Shri Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi,Minister, Odia Language, Tourism & Culture, Government of Odisha and Senior Officers of Department of Posts attended the function.
This Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrates an important event of Indian History which is the first visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha on 23rd March, 1921. It energized the Non-Cooperation movement and strengthened the cause of freedom struggle. During the visit of Mahatma Gandhi, large section of youth participated in the movement and women folk regularly spun Charkha and propagated the use of Khadi. Clothes of foreign origin were abandoned. Such was the magical presence of Mahatma Gandhi that Odisha woke up from slumber and plunged itself in the national movement.
Shri Sanjay Dhotre,Minister of State for Education, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology while addressing the gathering said that today India is celebrating “Ázaadi ka Amrut Mahotsava”. A Postage Stamp to commemorate the important event of celebrating 100 Years of first Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha is a part of this celebration. In days to come, Department of Posts will commemorate more such significant events of India’s freedom struggle.
Shri Dhotre also spoke about the significance of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiativewhich was launched under visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that through this initiative, various states and UTs are paired with each other like Maharashtra & Odisha, Goa & Jharkhand, Delhi & Sikkim and so on. This is done so that they can exchange, learn and appreciate each other’s culture, language, literature, dance art and many other aspects. This will ultimately strengthen the bond of India as a nation. And today’s function will definitely a step in this direction.
The stamp issued today is an inspiration to youth, women, intelligentsia and common folk. The society of today may not be able to comprehend the challenges that the society had faced a hundred years ago in the colonial rule.
The First Day Cover of the Commemorative Postage Stamp portrays the Swaraj Ashram at Cuttack, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his first visit to Odisha on 23rd March, 1921.
The Commemorative Postage Stamp, First Day Cover  and Information Brochure would be available for sale at 76 Philatelic Bureaux situated in every corner of the country as well as can be ordered online via e-postoffice .
PIB Headquarters
IOB to E-auction 500 plus re-possessed properties worth more than Rs.800 crores on Magicbricks
- E-auction will be held in two phases on Oct 21 & Oct 30,2019.
- Properties spread across 12 cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai and etc.
India’s leading public sector bank, Indian Overseas Bank  has signed up with Magicbricks, India’s popular property site, for the e-auction of 500 plus re-possessed properties worth more than Rs.800 crores. The mega e-auction will be carried out in two phases on Oct 21, 2019 and Oct 30, 2019.
- properties are spread across seven centres comprising Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Out of the 500 plus properties, majority are in Chennai and Coimbatore, rest are spread across 12 major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Kolkata, Ranchi, Meerut, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Hyderabad and Bhopal.
Property seekers need to log onto auctions.magicbricks.com/bank/event/IOB to register for the e-auction and can participate by depositing the earnest money with their nearest IOB branch. The properties put up for e-auction are on "as is, where is" basis
Mr K Swaminathan, Indian Overseas Bank’s Executive Director, stated that "Online platforms have emerged as key driver for the real estate industry. The property buying process is now significantly impacted by digital engagement. With growing internet penetration, trend towards e-auctions of properties has picked up speed in India. We are excited to share a new partnership with Magicbricks and look forward to the success of this mega e-auction.”
Commenting on the association, Mr. Sudhir Pai, CEO, Magicbricks, said: “Over the last couple of years, we have witnessed significant success on our e-auction platform. Ever since the launch, more than 1300 re-possessed assets owned by banks have been auctioned through our platform. The latest association with IOB yet again validates the reach and scale of our e-auction platform. The platform has helped PSU banks liquidate their re-possessed assets in an effective manner thereby reducing physical infrastructure or manpower and lessening their financial burden. It has also made the entire process transparent. Through the platform, property seekers can now also have access to a wide range property in tier-2 and 3 cities.”
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Ministry of Communications
First ever Aadhaar Centre in Indian Army through Army Postal Service - An initiative of Department of Posts
Shri Alok Sharma, Director General Postal Services & Lt Gen Rajinder Dewan, Quartermaster General jointly inaugurated first Permanent Aadhaar Enrolment Centre  for Army at 1 Central Base Post Office , New Delhi on July 25, 2023. Maj Gen M K Khan, Addl DG APS, was also present.
The PAEC will facilitate Aadhaar related services  for tri-services personnel  and their dependents through their Field Post Offices  in 48 identified locations in the country. All Command HQs, Corps HQs and selected FPOs are identified for establishment of PAEC services.
Department of Posts  and UIDAI, have supported immensely for establishment of these PAEC in terms of training, equipment’s and tech support. These 48 PAEC will be functional in both Field and Peace locations.
Director General Postal Services & QMG conveyed their best wishes to Army Postal Service Corps for this new service. They also expressed that expansion of this service through more FPOs in near future will facilitate troops to get user friendly government service in their vicinity.
QMG, Addl DG APS, Officers & Other Ranks of APS have conveyed their sincere gratitude to DoP for this initiative to introduce Aadhaar service in Army through FPOs.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India reports less than 40K Daily New Cases
Active Caseload continues to shrink, less than 4.4 lakh active cases recorded
Daily Positivity Rate dips below 4%- stands at 3.45%
India has registered less than 40,000 daily new cases after six days. The number of daily new cases in the last 24 hours is 37,975. For the last 17 days in a row, daily new cases have been sustained below the 50,000 mark, since 8th November.
India’s testing infrastructure has seen a significant boost with 2,134 labs across the country. Keeping in line with its commitment to conduct more than one million tests every day, 10,99,545 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. India’s total cumulative tests cross 13.3 cr .
An average of more than 10 lakh tests conducted daily has ensured that the cumulative positivity rate is sustained at low levels and is presently following a downward trajectory.
The cumulative national Positivity Rate stands at 6.87% today, less than the 7% mark. The daily positivity rate is just 3.45%. Higher volumes of testing eventually lead to low Positivity Rate.
The tests per million  has increased to 96,871 tests.
There has been a sustained decrease in the number of active cases over the past few weeks.
42,314 cases recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload has fallen to 4,38,667. Present contribution of Active Caseload to India’s total positive cases stands at 4.78%, following a declining curve.
The Recovery Rate has also increased to 93.76%. Total Recoveries as of today are 86,04,955 .
75.71% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Delhi has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 7,216 newly recovered cases. 5,425 people recovered in Kerala followed by 3,729 in Maharashtra.
77.04% of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs.
Delhi continues to report the highest daily new cases at 4,454. Delhi is followed by Maharashta with 4,153 new cases.
480 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.
Ten States/UTs account for 73.54% of new deaths. Delhi saw the maximum casualties . West Bengal and Maharashtra follow with 47 and 30 daily deaths, respectively.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Dr Mohamed Muizzu on being elected as the President of Maldives
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Dr Mohamed Muizzu on being elected as the President of Maldives.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
"Congratulations and greetings to @MMuizzu on being elected as President of the Maldives.
India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region."